Bridge Church Cardiff: Recent Episodes
The Bridge Church
Dave Lawther has a chat with our speaker for the youth weekend away, Jen Juckes. Jen is a secondary school teacher, from Scotland who lives in Oxfordshire. Jen is going to be speaking to our young people from the book of Daniel.
Dave Lawther preaches from Matthew 7:13-14, 24-29 on "Two Ways to Live" on Sunday 2nd June
Matt Bownds resumes our series in Matthew's Gospel, preaching from chapter 7:1-12 on Sunday 26th May.
Dave Lawther preaches from Acts 2 on Pentecost Sunday to finish out our mini series in Acts.
Matt quizzes Dave on some questions from Sunday’s sermon, and about Dave’s blooper on the weekend.
Matt and Dave are back, talking about some of the themes from the first two sermons in our new mini series in Acts.
Matt Bownds preaches from Acts 2:42-47, beginning our mini series in Acts, thinking about our values of "Belong, Serve, Grow" on Sunday 7th April.
Dave Lawther preaches from 2 Corinthians 5:21 at our Good Friday service on Friday 29th March 2024.
Matt and Dave follow up from Sunday's passage on Matthew 6:1-18, here are some of the questions from this week:
What would you say to someone who says “My praying, giving and fasting is just me being an example to other Christians, to get them praying, giving and fasting”?
Does verse 5 mean not to pray out loud in front of other people?
How in a corporate prayer meeting can we: Pray to be seen by others? Babble?
Could you give an example of how prayer grows our love/communion with God?
Why should we pray if verse 8 is true?
How do we know what God’s will is (verse 10)?
What does it look like to pray for daily bread/needs/provision whenever we don’t feel particularly needful?
Does God lead us into evil? (V13)
Why should we pray not to be led into temptation/trials whenever that Lord uses those trials to grow us/refine us?
What happens if we die without being reconciled to someone?
What if I struggle to forgive someone who has really wronged me?
People can probably wrap their heads around Jesus expecting us to pray and give… but fasting seems unreasonable/not that doable? Why do you think this is?
What are the benefits of fasting? (If that’s the right way of phrasing it)
Matt quizzes Dave on what it looks like to love your enemy and not seek revenge from Sunday. We had lots of listener questions this week, so we hope we've answered them.
Matt and Dave have a chat about a book they read together recently, that we would love to encourage the congregation at the Bridge Church read- A Praying Church.
Buy it on 10 of those https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433561641/a-praying-church-paperback
Use the discount code PRAYING30 to get 30% RRP.
Matt and Dave do a long podcast following up Sunday's sermon on Anger and Reconciliation.
At the Bridge we've started a new ministry for our young people, where we gather together to think about a specific topic and what the Bible has to say about it. We have conversations around our tables with one another to help us question and apply the Bible's truths to our lives. This one is on the tricky topic of suffering, with 6 building blocks to help us (although so much more could be said!)
Matt asks Dave some questions, following up on Sunday's sermon on being salty and shiny.
Dave Lawther preaches from Matthew 5:1-12, as we begin our studies in the Sermon on the Mount.
Dave asks Matt some questions following up Sunday's sermon. Apologies for the sound quality, we were having technical issues.
Matt asks Dave some questions following up from Sunday's sermon on the baptism and temptation of Jesus.
Dave Lawther preaches from Matthew 2:1-12 at our carols by candlelight service on Sunday 17th of December.
Dave Lawther continues our new series in Matthew's Gospel, looking at verses 18-25 of chapter 1. This sermon was preached on Sunday 10th December 2023.
Jean Marc is back with a Christmas special- an insight into the life and ministry of Christmas Evans. Happy listening.
Matt Bownds begins our new sermon series in Matthew's Gospel, looking at verses 1-17 of chapter 1.
Matt gives us an update on the preaching plan for the next term, where we'll be studying the Gospel of Matthew.
At the Bridge we've started a new ministry for our young people. Twice a term we gather together to think about a specific topic and see what God has to say about it. Our second session was a request to look at the topic "Getting along with other Christians", with this talk being a springboard to applying the principles in scenarios on tables.
Matt and Dave discuss and outline the two views of baptism- outlining what they believe and why, as well as the positives and negatives of both views.
Jean Marc is back with another deep dive into the famous Christian politician William Wilberforce, who was instrumental in the abolishment of the slave trade.
Dave Lawther preaches a topical sermon on our special CAP Sunday, where we were thinking about caring for the poor in our community of Pontprennau and Pentwyn.
At the Bridge we've started a new ministry for our young people. Twice a term we gather together to think about a specific topic and see what God has to say about it. Our first session was on decision making, with this talk being a springboard to applying the principles in scenarios on tables.
The podcast is back! Matt and Dave talk about the sermon from Sunday for the first time in a long time.
This is a recording of our Sunday night Equip session where we heard from Matt about his 3 month sabbatical.
Matt Bownds begins our new series in Genesis, preaching from Genesis 4:1-16 on Sunday 17th September.
Jon Owens preaches from Luke 23:32-49 in our last encounter with Jesus from Luke’s Gospel, on Sunday 3rd September.
Tom Roberts preaches from Luke 19:1-10 in our summer mini series on "Encounters with Jesus". This sermon was recorded on Sunday 27th of August.
Dave Lawther begins our summer mini series looking at Luke's Gospel, this was recorded on 13th August 2023.
Dave Lawther finishes our series in 1 Peter, looking at all of chapter 5. This sermon was recorded on the 6th of August.
Visiting preacher Paul Whitely from Emmanuel Baptist in Galabafa preaches from 1 Peter 4:1-11 on Sunday 16th of July.
Dave sits down with Jean-Marc to begin this 3 part series looking at the life and works of John Calvin
This is a re-recording from Sunday 25th of June when Steve Smith preached from 1 Peter 2:11-25
Our final episode in our series on the doctrine of Scripture, this week looking at the Sufficiency of Scripture.
We're continuing our mini series of podcasts on the doctrine of the Scripture, this week thinking about the necessity of Scripture.
During Matt's sabbatical, we've planned a few different podcasts, as we won't be doing the usual follow up from the Sunday Sermon. This is the second in a four part series on the doctrine of Scripture: with much improved sound quality.
Dave Lawther begins our new series studying 1st Peter, looking at 1 Peter 1:1-12, on Sunday 4th of June.
During Matt's sabbatical, we've planned a few different podcasts, as we won't be doing the usual follow up from the Sunday Sermon. This is the first in a four part series on the doctrine of Scripture. This first podcast was recorded back in March, with the following three recorded in May.
Matt Bownds preaches our final sermon from our mini series on the fruit of the spirit, on Sunday 21st May 2023.
Matt Bownds preaches on the Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness and Goodness on Sunday 14th of May 2023.
Dave asks Matt some questions about Sunday's sermon. Here are some of the questions asked in this episode.
We usually do expositional sermons at the bridge- could you give someone some pointers if they’re struggling to follow these more topical sermons?
Why is it that in those moments (zebra crossing) that it feels like the spiritual fruit has been stripped from the tree? Why do they disappear so suddenly?
In those moments whenever we want to make war with each other rather than peace, how might our peace with God lead us to be peace makers?
Explain to someone what it means to preach to themselves in day to day life? Just aware people might not be sure what that means?
How do we look for peace in the NHS, in a job etc rather than Jesus?
You said a couple of times that peace is a promise. Is this a promise that we can ‘name and claim’?
Whenever our life isn’t peaceful, how is the peace we have with God a help to us?
Why is it that sometimes trying to make peace feel like war?
What happens when we dismiss our impatience/blame others?
What if we are struggling with patience with someone in church?
How can a temper destroy a testimony?
Matt Bownds preaches on the Fruit of the Spirit: Peace and Patience, on Sunday 7th May.
Dave sits down with Heather Lewis, who is speaking at our youth weekend this year. Have a listen in to what she'll be teaching our young people, and what you can be praying for.
Matt and Dave have a conversation about these two fruits, unscripted, so let us know how you found this episode.
Matt Bownds preaches on the fruit of the spirit: Love and Joy, on Sunday 30th of April.
Dave follows up on Matt's sermon asking him some questions about our new mini series on the fruit of the spirit.
Questions asked in this podcast:
How come we have to battle the flesh if Paul says in v24 that we’ve ‘crucified’ it!?”
How is walking with the Spirit connected to abiding in Christ (Jn 15)?
How’s it connected to sanctification?
Is keeping the Lord’s commands, generally, a way of keeping in step with the Spirit? Or is obedience to God’s commands possible because we walk in step with the Spirit?
The Spirit produces this fruit, not us. So do we have a part to play in developing the specific aspects of the fruit? Or do we just walk with the Spirit and leave the details to him?
Why should we not simply think “I need to just try harder” when I see uneven fruit in my life?
You’ve said that the fruit can’t be faked, but legalism can be (as in showing up at Church etc)... how might we recognise a heart that is legalistic and is trying to fake the fruit?
How can a legalistic heart make everything “black and white”?
How can a licenseious heart make everything “grey”?
What is the good heart in the person more drawn to legalism?
What is the good heart in the person drawn towards license?
How can I actually recognise if I am keeping in step with the Spirit/bearing fruit? Is it a feeling? Is it tangible?
How do I get to the point where I want to “read my Bible, pray everyday?” if I’m a Christian who is not in that place?
How can there be “freedom” within “boundaries” as we think about walking with the Spirit?
Matt Bownds begins our new series on the Fruit of the Spirit, beginning by looking at keeping in step with the Spirit. This sermon was preached on Sunday 23rd of April 2023.
Visiting preacher Phill Swann from Llanelli Free Evangelical Church preaches from 1 Samuel 30 on Sunday 16th of April.
Matt Bownds preaches from John 19 on Jesus cry from the cross "It is finished" on Good Friday 2023.
Dave sits down with Jean Marc to learn about one of the lesser known reformers, Ulrich Zwingli.
Dave Lawther preaches from John 12:12-20 at our all age family service on Sunday 2nd of April. This talk was split into three sections, with songs, prayers and videos spread throughout.
Matt Bownds preaches from Hebrews 13:20-25, finishing our series on the book of Hebrews on Sunday 26th of March.
Dave follows up with Matt about Sunday's sermon. Here are the questions that were asked.
Why have we split hebrews 13 into three sermons, and only gave hebrews 11 one sermon!?
How would we recognise someone is being “carried away”?
What would be the ceremonial food laws of our day? That people look to to be strengthened by?
What would you say to someone who recently became a Christian who heard on Sunday that “new” teachings are dangerous?
What would the consequences be if the elders were “yes men”?
Why do we prefer people to share criticism with us Elders’ directly? Surely that’s not a nice thing for someone to do?
A question we thought about in youth: how can leaders (elders) give people confidence in them?
How do we recognise good Christian leadership?
Unpack the saying (which I love)- you get the elders you pray for and the sermons you pray for!
Why do we talk about casting vision, if that’s not what elders job’s are?
Can you share a time with us whenever you experienced disgrace for Jesus?
How could I offer a “thanksgiving” sacrifice with my lips today?
How does Easter help us long for home?
Matt asks Dave some questions following up Sunday's sermon. Here are the questions from this week's podcast:
Thinking about Christianity being an ‘obsolete faith’ and less than half the population even claiming to be Christians now: could that be a good thing in some ways?
How does the fact that we’re a ‘blood-bought family’ help and impact you as you pastor the people of the Bridge?
Where do you start with hospitality with someone who’s not at all like you and with whom you don’t seem to have anything in common!?
Do you really think we might entertain angels!? Was the writer just using the OT stories re: Abraham to make a point?
Who are our local equivalents to those in prison?
Thinking of honouring marriage and ‘sharing challenges with people you trust’: how do you start building friendships like that if you don’t have them?
Can you say a bit more about how can money be a snare for the average person in the Bridge who has neither poverty nor great riches?
Loved where you closed, with Jesus who is ‘eternally reliable because he’s eternally unchangeable’. Bit of a deep theological question: will he always be human then!? And how do you show that from scripture?
Matt sits down with Tom King to discuss Sunday's message from Hebrews 12:18-29. As a warning, the sound quality isn't great initially, but does improve.
Tom King, one of our missionaries preaches to us from Hebrews 12:18-29 on Sunday 5th of March 2023.
Dave asks Matt some questions about the passage from Sunday. Here are the questions asked in this podcast:
Let’s talk about legacy to kick us off. Is it okay for Christians to want to leave a legacy, to think about that stuff? Surely it’s too focused on us?
You talked about the characters in this chapter as “concrete examples of what faith looks like”- how does this phrase help us whenever we read Bible stories to our kids?
How might the fact that we all believe in unseen things help us whenever we’re talking to our sceptical friends about the Gospel?
“Faith isn’t all heart and no head”- what happens if we’re not both? What happens if we’re all heart or all head?
How might we rightly consider this promise of God: Jeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
What might it look like to consider the promises of God whenever you’re trying to decide whether to stay in a job or not?
You said about how faith is impossible to do in the flesh, then said part of faith is saying “I believe…” how is that not me doing it in the flesh?
How do we reconcile the fact that other religions claim to have heard from God?
Could you give us some ways that Christians look crazy to the world? Is it ever wrong to “look crazy”?
What are some practical ways older people can look forward rather than look back with nostalgia?
“God will do miraculous things through his people when they live by faith”- why can we be so sure of this?
Dave has a chat with Phil Swann, pastor of Llanelli Free Church, on a wide ranging discussion on all things mental health. They touch on depression, caring for one another in the Church, the Puritans, evangelism and much more. Give it a listen and let us know if it has blessed you.
Here are some time stamps:
0.00-9:00- About Phil, Experience in mental health care
9:01-29:59- Biblical encouragements/references/Church history
30:00-43:00- Evangelism
43:01-58:41 Every member ministry
58:42-105:41 Helpful resources
Matt and Dave chat about Sunday's sermon. This week is a bit longer, with two listener questions! Here are the questions that were asked.
What do you think it looks like to have “confidence” in our relationship with God, from verse 19 Dave?
How does one “draw near to God”? How can you know whenever you are drawing near to God?
How might you encourage someone who is struggling to live for Jesus in their work place? Who is struggling to hold unswervingly to their hope?
What might be the signs in our lives that were just settling in for a ride on that escalator?
Who has recently “spurred you on” Dave (been a catalyst to love and good deeds)? And what about you Matt?
How do we spur one another on in a Sunday service?
What if we get out of the habit of meeting together?
Can we spur one another on via technology? Do we have to meet one another physically?
Why do we have this warning section in Hebrews, if Christians can’t fall away?
Verses 32-35 feel so distant from our current experience. Persecution, public insults imprisonment, confiscation of property. How are they relevant to us today?
Gaynor had a question about verse 37- “will not delay”- it’s been 2000 years?! That definitely seems like a delay.
Listener question: Sometimes my sin does feel deliberate- eg I know I shouldn’t gossip, but sometimes I do. I sin because I don’t/can’t/won’t control my sinful nature. Help?!
Here is this week's podcast, where we talk about questions off the back of Sunday's sermon. Here are the questions we discussed:
Matt what made you decide to focus in on verse 14 specifically? Why don’t we do that every week?
Matt you talked about sacrifices and how we’re both saved and sinners at the same time. Is it helpful to constantly be reminded on a Sunday morning that we’re sinners?
Every sin is my wretchedly irrational heart choosing hell- could you give us an example? How is me lying me choosing hell?
Do you want to talk about any of the Psalm 40 stuff?
Whenever we hear these warnings, how does a legalistic heart “hear” them and respond?
Whenever we hear these warnings, how does a lax heart “hear” them and respond?
Matt whenever you talk about Christians with a tender conscience, what does that mean, how would I recognise I am one of them?
You talked about how a heart responds (like Luther) whenever they first become a Christian- what if I don't feel like that now?
How do we care for friends we know who have become complacent?
Matt how can we notice sanctification in our lives? Can we/should we be doing a spiritual MOT?
Matt Bownds preaches from Hebrews 10:1-18, focusing specifically on verse 14. This sermon was preached on Sunday 5th of February.
In the second part of this two part episode, Jean Marc teaches us about Martin Luther- you'll learn about his personality, his flaws, his legacy and teaching and where you can find out more.
In this special two part episode, Jean Marc teaches us about Martin Luther- you'll learn some fun facts, early life history, his formation and some of his important discoveries.
Matt asks Dave some questions about the sermon from Sunday and a prediction about the result this Saturday. Here are some of the questions asked in this week's episode:
Your first point was that the Tabernacle teaches us about worship, and that worship is ‘worth-ship! How should that inform what we do on Sundays and how we do it?
If we are the temple of God/the Holy Spirit, the comfort there is obvious I guess, but is there any sense of warning when we think about what it is to be gathered as church?
You were very clear on the need for the shedding of blood to deal with sin, all pointing to the death of Jesus and the seriousness of sin. Do you think we see the seriousness of sin?
You said that in communion we “symbolically drink Jesus’ blood”. I suppose that could be understood two ways: that we drink something that’s a symbol of his blood OR that we drink his actual blood as a symbol of his sacrifice! Which one did you mean (I think most would know!) and why does it matter which we understand?
A doctrinal question: you said that ‘you need to be right with God and blood is needed’ But couldn’t God in his sovereignty and power just have ignored/swept away our sin without the death of his Son? Did Jesus really HAVE to die?
Where does the reference to hyssop (and scarlet wool!) in v19 come in? What’s that all about!?
Lennox had a question about verse 23- is there a literal tabernacle with decorations on which Christ’s blood purified in Heaven? Isn’t Heaven already pure?
What else did you glean from this chapter that you didn’t get the chance to share?
Dave asks Matt some questions about Hebrews 8, here are some of the questions asked in this podcast:
Matt, we’re back into Hebrews: could you give us a wee recap/reminder of some of the big ideas and themes that we have found in the first half of Hebrews?
What’s the connection between the tabernacle and the temple?
You helpfully explained that about what the word “obsolete” means in verse 13. How would you talk to a Christian who says that verse 13 is their reasoning for not reading the Old Testament at all?
Why did God build in an obsolescence form into the Covenant?
What ways can we work to make what is invisible more significant to us? I thought that was a very helpful line!
In Paul’s letters he calls the Law a “ministry of death,” a letter that “kills,” and a “ministry of condemnation.” (2 Cor 3)- would an ordinary Jew have this view of the Law?
Is the Abrahamaic Covenant obsolete? (this is being picky- we don’t have to do it, it’s more of a way to differentiate between the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants?)
Could you give us some examples of shadows or copies in the OT?
Which of the “news” amazed you most last week/impacted you (heart, relationship, start?)
You mentioned someone who has committed the same sin many times- how many times can we have this “new start”?
Matt Bownds restarts our series in Hebrews, looking at all of chapter 8, on Sunday 22nd January.
Matt and Dave talk about the second part of the Parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15:25-32. Here are some of the questions asked in this episode:
A big question that often arises about this passage and its stunning representation of grace is: ‘is this mainly for religious unbelievers who don’t trust in Jesus (like the Pharisees) or mainly for believers?
How can religion turn us inward looking?
You talked about “a duty-ridden existence looking down on those who don’t do what we do”. How can this be a snare for real Christians in local church life?
You said a lot of us err towards saying it’s better to be legalistic than slip into license. But you said that it’s NOT better to be a robot than a rebel. So is it better go to the other way!?
You said that the older son viewed the Father as a harsh Master. Today ‘master’ is probably a totally negative word for many. But Jesus is called Master. In what way is God a Master in a GOOD way?
You also said that seeing God as a hard boss also leads to the thinking that when we do well, he owes us. Is there a link to prosperity teaching here; is that teaching basically legalism?
You landed by talking about the riches we have in relationship with the Father, including that of a great inheritance. What does that look like, biblically?
You very last words were about Jesus being our good and great older brother. Can you flesh that out?
Dave Lawther preaches from the second half of the parable of the lost son, Luke 15:25-31. This sermon was preached on Sunday 15th January 2023.
A bumper podcast as we kick off 2023, looking at some questions related to our memort verse and last week's sermon. Here are some of the questions:
How did you come to the motto verses?
Why do you think they’re timely for us as a Church?
Why did you go so hard on the prayer meeting?
What if God is calling me to full time Christian work (to go into the harvest field)? How will I know?
Can we ask for workers to go out and God not answer that prayer?
Why do we forget the plight of the lost?
What difference does this parable make to awful things that happen?
"Listeners would be disgusted at what the son did." Can you say more about that and how it helps us underhand what sin is?
Can you say a bit more about that so we understand repentance rightly?
How do repentance and faith fit together? Are they the same thing?
How do in l know that’s what God has done for me?
What else did Christ take, in taking my sin, that I no longer have to fear?
Did anything surprise you in your prep for presiding this famous parable?
Dave Lawther preaches from Luke 15:11-24 on the younger son, in our mini series looking at Jesus' famous parable in Luke 15. This sermon was preached on Sunday 8th of January.
Matt Bownds preaches from Matthew 9:35-38 on Sunday 1st of January, our motto verse for the year at the Bridge Church.
Tom Hocking speaks at our Carols by Candlelight service on Sunday 18th of December. The passage the teaching is based is Matthew 1:23.
We're back with a Christmas special looking at St Nicholas, aka Santa Claus. Jean Marc talks about what we can know about the famous saint, and what we can know about His Saviour.
Dave and Matt chat through the sermon from Sunday. Here are some of the questions we discussed:
Guessing you left a lot on the cutting Room floor this week! But first a couple of things about your claim that v14 describes the greatest miracle in history …What’s the definition of a miracle?
Isn’t the resurrection a greater (or equal) miracle to the incarnation? And isn’t making the universe from nothing ‘harder’ than the Word being made flesh? (After all, God has made billions of human beings; Is one more much of a stretch!?)
Why do older Bible translations call Jesus ‘only begotten’ and newer versions say ‘one and only’? Is there an important distinction there?
Full of grace and truth. You touched on that, but it’s an interesting phase; Wondered if there was anything you wanted to add about that?
Grace in place of grace already given / grace upon grace. I can see how that relates to the incarnation and the cross. But how does it relate to my day to day Christian walk? Does it!?
You didn’t go into v15 at all. Anything you left on the cutting room floor with that verse?
Why do NIV and ESV’s translations of v18 seem quite different?
What’s been a standout / fresh thing you’ve see in John 1, as you’ve come back to it?
Dave and Matt chat about Sunday's sermon. Here are some of the questions discussed:
John the Baptist is mentioned in all the Gospel accounts. Why is he so important?
Is there a limit to God’s giving? Can we ever exhaust His grace? What about if we commit blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
You mentioned how the Jews saw these deeds and didn’t believe. We haven’t seen them, so how can we be expected to believe?
We use the word trauma a lot- imagine the trauma it would cause to be rejected in the world. In some sense does Jesus understand the traumatized?
How can someone who has been a Christian for years, receive Jesus this Christmas?
Why are people unhappy with the phrase: receive Jesus into your heart?
Whenever we read ‘born of a husband’s will’- is this the Bible being sexist/patriarchal?
The Napoleon illustration: how could someone misunderstand this illustration?
We're back! Matt asks Dave some questions about Sunday's passage. Here are some of the questions discussed in this podcast.
What’s the connection between, and what are the differences between those two ‘words’?
- And a follow-up: Is God always doing something when he speaks? If the answer is, yes, I see how that’s relevant to creation and great acts of redemption, but how is that relevant in my week to week?
- Are the JWs right when the say that v should be trans ‘the word was A God’s(V1)!?
- If he is the light, that all men resist unless they receive him, then in what sense is he the ‘light of ALL mankind’? (V4)
- Okay, so you’re probably saw this one coming! But you said, very wonderfully, that the one who couldn’t hold up his head was sustaining the universe. Were you saying that those things were literally both true at the same time, and if so how does that work?
- If someone were to say to you that they aren’t in the dark (e.g. they are very intelligent, and they have a good life) how would you try to explain to them that they are? How would you help them see their diagnosis?
- You said that Jesus came into our world to deal with all the manifestations of darkness, including our ill health. So why am I ill!?
- Picking up on an illustration from Sunday: At the worst point of the game, it’s okay, because we know that we win. It’s such an amazing thought, and such a comfort. How do I live in such a way that that victory is real to me daily dave?
Dave preaches on our first Sunday of advent, looking at John 1:1-8 on Sunday 27th December.
Jon Reeves from Highfields Church preaches from all of 2 Corinthians 4 on Sunday 13th November.
Matt and Dave have a chat about Hebrews 7 from Sunday, and we also let you know what we've been learning at the FIEC conference.
What’s the ‘Levitical system’?
Is Melchizedek mentioned anywhere else in the OT? Was he a big deal to the Jews? Is it totally random that the writer uses him as a type to point to Jesus or is there more going on?
How is he king of righteousness? How is he king of peace?
Was Mel actually Jesus!?
What does it mean that he’s able to save me completely? If I’m saved, is it possible I might not be saved completely?
Eternal security because you have an eternal representative!
‘Jesus lives to allow you to connect to God.’ Loved that! Can you say more?
If he’s dealt with our greatest needs, you can trust him with all these other things. (Why don’t I? How do I?)
Dave asks Matt some questions from Sunday's sermon. Here are the questions that were asked this week:
What does it mean that some of the Hebrews ought to be teachers?
Whenever we read in verse 12 it makes it sound like the “elemental truths of God’s Word” is milk, not solid food… a negative right? Is a basic understanding of the Gospel a bad thing?
You talked about “not being hungry to know more of Him”- is that intellectually or experientially?
You talked about looking back on five years and asking “Is there growth”?... part of me feels like it would be arrogant to say “yes”? Am I wrong?
What comfort is there in the doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints?
Why does God provide these scary warning passages in His word?
Could you explain verse 6 again- I found it helpful the way you explained it on Sunday, but it’s such a massive verse for us to consider.
“Don’t look inside so much and look to Him”- our culture often tells us to look inside ourselves. Why is this a bad piece of advice?
Dave sits down with Jean-Marc to find out about the "Welsh Apostle" Daniel Rowland. Here are some of the questions asked:
- What is the connection between Lloyd Jones and Daniel Rowland?
- Tell us a wee bit about Daniel Rowland please?
- Why isn’t he well known?
- Journey to becoming a curate?
- How was he converted?
- More life information
- Why was he banned from preaching in his own Church?
- What was his preaching like?
- How did he relate to other Christians?
- What can we learn from his life?
- Where can we find out more?
- What was his main gift to Christian theology?
Matt fires questions at Dave about Sunday's sermon. Here are the questions that are in this podcast:
What does it mean that Jesus “ascended into Heaven”?
Could you explain what it means in day to day life to hold firmly to what we profess?
How can Jesus have been tempted and not sin? Is it not sinful to be tempted?
What do you think it means to receive mercy in our time of need?
You made a point of general application from the characteristics of the High Priest to those in Christian ministry. Why did you make that application?
Jesus didn’t demand/take on the honour of being High Priest. Surely if God anointed Him, Jesus did take the honour on Himself?
There have been a couple of times in Hebrews we’ve alluded back to Genesis 1-3 and some of the summer Psalms. Did we plan these sermon series so that they’re linked?
In verse 8 we see this language we’ve seen previously- that Jesus learned obedience and was made perfect. Could you remind us what that means?
Jesus is the source of eternal salvation… for all who obey Him? Isn’t this legalism?
Are there any areas human experience that Jesus can’t identify with?
What does that mean to go to him; how do we do that?
This is a re-recording of the sermon from Sunday 16th October, by Dave Lawther from Hebrews 4:12-5:10.
Dave asks Matt questions from Sunday's sermon. Here are some of the questions we cover.
So whenever we think of “rest” in the context of the Bible- which should spring to our mind first? The rest we’ve entered into? The rest that we will enter into?
How should rest feel?
What are the ways we are tempted to “go back to Egypt”?
At the beginning of creation God had planned a rest- Heaven. Why did He plan a rest if He was already with us?
What parallels are there between us and the Israelites/Hebrews? Fearing the occupants of the land? Can we make application from this?
How do we treat a relationship with Jesus as more precious than with a human being? The human one often feels so much more tangible?
Speaking of God’s voice, why does the writer suddenly mention the word of God in verses 12&13? How does that fit with this section? (I assume it’s linked as the word for is there!)
How do we “hear the word of God”? We’re not like the Israelites who hear God’s voice?
How is the preached word, the Word of God?
Dave and Matt follow up from a previous EQUIP session we held at the Bridge Church about our phones. We discuss how our phones can serve us or enslave us.
Biggest phone pet peeve?
Why are we talking about our phones?
What was your first phone/age were you when you got your first phone Dave?
As an introductory sort of question- whenever we think of our phones, what extremes can we swing towards?
What are some of the good aspects of our phones?
You just said “we can thank God for”- someone would probably hear that and think- God had absolutely nothing to do with the smart phone! What would you say about that?
What are some of the dangers of our phones?
How can our phones affect our language or the way we communicate?
How are our phones affecting the way we engage with God’s Word?
How are phones affecting our mental health?
How are our phones affecting our evangelism?
So it sounds like our phones are a real mix of good and bad. What do you think it looks like Dave to offer our phones as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2) to the Lord?
What safeguards can we put in place with our phones?
Any books or resources would you recommend?
Peter Baker preaches from Proverbs 4:13-27 on Sunday 25th of September. Peter Baker is the pastor of Landsdowne Church in Bournemouth and was speaking at the Wales Leadership forum this weekend.
Matt asks Dave some picky questions from Sunday's message on Hebrews 2.
How are these 4 truths ones that make sense of people drifting away?
Dave often in our sermons we will address people who are skeptical about the Christian faith- why do we do this?
Why does the writer say ‘there’s a place where someone has testified’? Just gone blank!? Why doesn’t he give Bible references?
Was Jesus really for a little while lower than the angels? How does that fit with the glory of his deity in ch1?
How does Jesus’ glory become our glory!?
Does he really know what it’s like to be one of us? Isn’t he cosmic royalty!? Wasn’t it easier for him?
Is this section about us or about Jesus?
Loved the point you made, that the Lord Jesus is not ashamed of his family, that there’s even a sense that he’s proud of us as his people. Can you lay out how that fits with our indwelling sin?
It was a startling thought that Jesus knows what it is for his family to be ashamed of him! How can that help someone in their interactions with friends and family who are ashamed of / angry at our faith?
‘God has dealt with our greatest fear’. Isn’t it true that Christians are sometimes still afraid of death to some degree though? Is that sinful lack of faith? How do we fight the very human fear of death?
How does Jesus break satan’s power?
A communion-related question. Will we actually eat and drink with Jesus one day? What do we base that on?
Dave asks Matt some questions about angels from the Sunday sermon.
Some of the questions in this episode are:
What rhetoric devices does the author use that people can look out for?
What does the writer mean whenever he says that Jesus has inherited a superior name?
If Jesus is better than angels, why do we so often not have a view of Jesus that inspires fear/awe?
How can we grow in our awe of Jesus?
How do we understand Hebrews 1:14 that angels serve us? What practically does that look like, can we know?
Is this linked to the idea of guardian angels? Where does that belief come from?
There’s one figure we come across in the Old Testament who is called the angel of the LORD. Is he ‘just’ an angel, or God/Jesus appearing in human form?
How come we haven’t heard Jesus called Jesus yet!? (First time is in 2:9?)
Seems like the writer just grabs OT passages and applies them to Jesus! Can we do this too?
Matt and Dave chat about Sunday's sermon on Hebrews 1:1-4. Here are some of the questions talked about in this episode:
Mint choc chip: seriously!?
Is ‘better’ the best word to translate whatever the Greek word is in Hebrews 1?
Can you say a bit more about the particular pressures the readers were facing, which were leading them to consider walking away from faith in Christ?
Are there any particular pressures that we might face that are parallel to those?
You mentioned the OT offices of Prophet, Priest and King, which we see throughout OT and fulfilled in Jesus. What about Judge?
You mentioned possible authors of Hebrews. How much does it matter who wrote it?
How should we think of heaven? Is it a place? If so, where is it? Can we even answer those questions!?
Why do angels make an appearance at the start of Hebrews? Were the readers being tempted to worship them or something?
The Son is sustaining all things by his powerful word, so presumably he also was when we was a baby lying in a manger! How can that possibly be true!?
Matt Bownds begins our new series in Hebrews, preaching from chapter 1, verses 1-4 on Sunday 4th of September.
Matt and Dave sit down after the summer break to talk about the outcoming sermon series in Hebrews.
Matt Bownds preaches from Psalm 84 on Sunday 28th of August, finishing our summer series in the Psalms.
Dave sits down with Jean-Marc to find out about Doctor Martyn Lloyd Jones- His life, His ministry and the lessons we can learn from him.
This summer as a Church we're studying the Psalms, so we thought this was a good chance to do a podcast talking about singing in our services. Why we do it, why it matters and a chance to hear a bit more about what goes into our Sunday services. Dave chats to Steve (our elder who oversees our Sunday mornings)- give it a listen!
Matt Bownds preaches from Revelation 1:9-19, Revelation 22:12-21 as Hayley moves to Highfields Church to become Ministry Trainee with her husband Dai.
Matt Bownds finishes our topical series on friendship, preaching from 1 Samuel 23 on Sunday 24th of July.
Matt and Dave discuss what friendship looks like in the Church, following on from Sunday's sermon. Here are some of the questions asked in the podcast:
What biblical ideals for friendship do you think we see in LOTR?
I liked what you said about reading Proverbs in context, and that a good way to understand them is that they tell us how things ’tend’ to work but aren’t absolute rules and need to be taken in context. Can you give us an example of that?
Can you tell us about some of your friendships that have blessed you? Were they very similar or quite different types of friendships?
Best friends - do we have to have one? If so, do they need to be in our home church? If not, why do some people have BFFs and some not?
You said that if your closest friend isn’t a believer, you’ll struggle. What makes you say that? [I agree by the way!]
How does the singing in car example (just clicking; knowing you’re going to be best friends with this person) fit with working hard at church friendships? Do all friendships have to just ‘click’? And is there even a sense in which church friendships can require more effort than non-Christian friendships?
You made the point that we don’t choose family but we do choose friends, which is very true in life generally. But when I look at the church, I see brothers and sisters who (in a sense) I didn’t choose. So, they’re all my bros and sis. But are they all meant to be my friends?
How do Life Groups figure in all this?
Any tips on how to do the honesty thing well? How do I know I’m inflicting ‘friendly wounds’ for the right reason and in the right way!?
Follow up: what if a friend wounds you? Perhaps for some, these sermons on friendship will be really tough because of loss of friends, betrayal etc. Is there a risk element to real friendship?
What is a “wee dander”!?
How do I go about making new and deeper friendships? Some people seem to find it really easy, and others not so much!
Dave begins our new topical series on Friendship. The passages on which the teaching is based is: Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 18:24, Proverbs 24:26, Proverbs 27:6, 9 and John 15:12-15.
Matt and Dave sit down for one last run through of Genesis 3:20-24, asking some different questions about the sermon on Sunday.
Matt asks Dave some questions about the passage from Sunday. Here are the questions that were asked:
Anything you enjoyed reading on study leave?
Can we know anything more about Satan and why he rebelled?
Why is the certainty of the serpent and his seed’s defeat such good news? You mentioned how the seed of the serpent is anyone who is opposed to God. That’s alot of people. Why is that good news?
What does it mean that work isn’t cursed, surely work is cursed because it is harder?
Are these punishments by God not heavy handed?
How do you see in your own life/marriage the consequences of the fall?
Do these verses teach us there were no thorns before the fall?
Can you give us examples of how sin promises abundance and instead delivers agony?
How does Jesus satisfy in these three areas: parenting, marriage and work?
Dave asks Matt some questions about Sunday's sermon from Genesis 2:18-25.
Here are the questions from this week:
What does it mean that Eve is Adam’s helper? If God is Israel’s helper- what are the parallels/differences?
You made the point about Adam not being able to carry out his divine calling without his divine helper, Eve… does that mean men or women can’t fulfil their divine calling without being married?
Do we make too much of Adam being made before Eve? Is it really that significant?
What is the significance of Jesus’ quoting these words?
How is it that man and woman “fit” together to be one flesh? How do man and woman complete each other?
How can this passage possibly be relevant for people who are single?
Your point that in heaven you won’t be married to Kath, but she will be your second best friend in heaven. That might sound like singles will miss out on a second best friend in Heaven… will that be the case?
How does the Bible’s teaching of men and women being made complementary subvert what our culture says? Why is it God’s good design?
Dave asks Matt questions about the sermon on Sunday, as well as asking him if Adam had a belly button.
Matt Bownds and Professor Emyr Macdonald are asked some of the FAQs about the Biblical account of Creation- well worth a listen.
Matt Bownds begins our new series in Genesis 1-3, looking at Genesis 1:1-2- 6 things we learn about God.
Jean Marc Alter teaches us about another Christian from the past- teaching us what we can learn from the life of George Whitfield.
Dave and Matt talk about the final sermon in the Thessalonians series at the Bridge Church: Living for the Coming King.
Matt Bownds preaches on 1 Corinthians 15, on how the Resurrection gives us hope and purpose.
Matt and Dave talk about books, what they're reading, why they read, how to start reading!
Matt sits down with Jonathan Thomas to talk about creation care. JT was with us on Sunday, and rather than follow up on the sermon, this week we've asked him to speak about something topical he did at his church in Abergavenny.
Jonathan Thomas from Cornerstone Abergavenny preaches from Psalm 34 on Sunday 20th of March
Matt and Dave discuss Sunday's sermon from 1 Thessalonians, and we talk about Matt turning 50.
Matt and Dave have a chat about baptism, and how it encourages us in our Christian faith.
Matt Bownds preaches from Acts 8:26-40 on March 6th 2022, on the occasion of 6 people being baptised.
Dave sits down with Jean-Marc to find out about Charles Spurgeon, "The Prince of Preachers" and what we can learn from his life.
Dave and Matt have a discussion about the sermon from Sunday and answer some questions- all unscripted!
Dave Lawther preaches from 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 in our service on Sunday 6th of February.
Dave catches up with Matt about Sunday's sermon, expanding and applying the message from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12.
Dave sits down with Jean-Marc Alter to talk about his love of history and the value of studying Church history specifically. This is well worth a listen, even if you aren't immediately interested in the subject!
Matt Bownds preaches from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 at our Sunday morning service on 30/1/22
Dave Lawther preaches from 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 as part of our series: Living for the coming King
Matt and Dave talk about communion- why we do things the way we do things, what we need to remember, and much more.
Matt Bownds preaches on our first Sunday communion of the year. This was recorded on 16th January 2022.
Matt and Dave talk about our new sermon series in 1 Thessalonians: Living for the coming King
Dave preaches from Galatians 2:20- we had some technical problems so this is a re-recorded sermon from 2nd January.
Matt answers questions from Sunday's sermon on "Christmas in the Prophets". This will be our last podcast until after Christmas.
Matt Bownds preaches from Isaiah 9, in our final advent series- Christmas in the Old Testament.
Carrying on our advent series, looking at Jesus in the Old Testament. Dave Lawther preaches from Psalm 98.
In this second episode, Matt and Dave have a go at answering some questions surrounding Christmas- should Christians have Christmas trees? Was Jesus born on the 25th of December? All that and more.
Carrying on our Advent series in the Old Testament. This sermon was recorded on 21st November. WARNING: The audio on this is very, very poor.
Today we hear from Sue, a Wife, Mum, Nurse, and worship leader from our Church who has had long Covid. We heard from her a few weeks ago in a Sunday service, and wanted to hear more of her testimony.
Matt and Dave finish up our series on Malachi in this final pod. Apologies, Dave was very hungry meaning he's a bit all over the place.
Matt finishes off our series in Malachi doing a summary of the book whilst focusing in on the last 3 verses. This sermon was recorded on 31st October 2021.
Visiting preacher Jonny Raine (from Pontrhydyrun Baptist Church) preaches from Psalm 65. Included in the recording is a pre sermon interview. The sermon begins at 4:16.
Matt Bownds preaches from Malachi 3:13-4:3. The beginning of the sermon was not recorded, apologies.
Matt Bownds preaches from Malachi 3:6-12 on "True Generosity" on Sunday the 10th of October
Dave Lawther teaches from Malachi 2:17-3:5 on "True Justice" at our Sunday service on October 3rd.
Andrew Hadley, from the Bay Church in Cardiff preaches from Luke 10:24-42 on Sunday 26th of September. The Bay Church is one of the Churches we are partnering with in Cardiff.
Matt Bownds preaches in our new series on the book of Malachi- all about "True Worship", today looking at Malachi 1:1-5 on "True Love"
Dave sits down to talk to Roz about corporate prayer and the blessing she has experienced from partnering with others to pray.
Matt Bownds preaches from 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 in our summer series: Praying with Paul.
Dave has a chat with Pete about prayer and the challenges and blessings he's faced in his life. This is the start of a series of interviews we're doing with members from the Church on prayer.
Matt Bownds preaches from Philemon verses 1-3 with the title "Grace makes family" on 20th June 2021.
Dave and Matt discuss what it looks like to pray and fast, following on from Sunday's message.
Dave preaches from Matthew 6:5-18 in our final sermon in the series "Being a Christian in 2021".
Matt catches up with Dave about Sunday's sermon- despite the audio of the sermon note being recorded!
Steve gives an overview of Partnerships at the Bridge Church- what they are, why we're partnering and how you can be involved. This is the video Steve mentions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A14THPoc4-4
Matt preaches on "Being filled with the Spirit" in our second morning service from Ephesians 5:8-20
Matt talks to us ahead of this Sunday's sermon, looking at the topic of the Holy Spirit.
Dave Lawther preaches from 1 Peter 3:15 in our second-morning service, looking at the topic of "Speaking of Christ"
Dave preaches from Colossians 2:6-7 on the topic of "Growing by Grace" in our topical series: Being a Christian in 2021. This was recorded at our in-person meeting at 9oclock.
Matt and Dave are back on the podcast chatting about this past Sunday's in person service.
The first in our new series of "Being a Christian in 2021", looking at "Believing in Jesus" by Matt Bownds at our 10:30 in person meeting.
Phil Jenkins preaches at our virtual service on Sunday 25th of April on "The King's Promise"
Dave and Matt chat about Sunday's sermon, looking at his go-to phrases and some thoughts on the difficult subject of hell.
A bonus podcast this week looking at some of the issues surrounding the Millennium in Revelation 20
Matt has a chat with Jonathan Thomas our preacher from Sunday's sermon. The topic is Revivals from Welsh history, a project JT is researching and preparing for a documentary.
Jonathan Thomas preaches on Psalm 19 at our Zoom Service. Skip ahead to 3.00 if you want to get straight to the sermon and miss the brief interview!
Matt Bownds preaches from Revelation 17 and 18 on our Zoom service on 28th of February 2021
Dave and Steff meander through Revelation 14 together- talking about a bit of everything!
Matt and Dave talk through Sunday's Message from Revelation 13, with 4 listener questions!
Matt and Dave talk about Matt's journey with mental health, and how to look after yourself and each other during our 3rd lockdown.
Tom Hocking preaches from Revelation 12 during our virtual service on January 31st 2021.
Chris Street chats to Roger about his time in Pakistan as a missionary, his call to ministry (and Dianna's) and much more.
Matt and Dave chat about the sermon from the weekend- thinking in particular about prayer.
We find out about Matt's Christmas and how he picks out the memory verse for the year- 1 Corinthians 15:58
Dave does a quick 12 minute recap of the first seven chapters of Revelation ahead of us continuing the Book in the New Year.
Matt Bownds speaks from Luke 2:8-20 in our Christmas series. Recorded on 20/12- late upload.
Dave Lawther speaks from 1 Peter 1:1-9 at our Zoom service on Sunday 27th of December 2020. Apologies the first minute was not recorded.
Matt Bownds speaks from Luke 2:22-35, on Simeon's Song. Apologies the first minute was not recorded.
Matt Bownds teaches from Luke 1:67-80, apologies the start of the sermon wasn't recorded.
Dave speaks with Danno about talking to people about Jesus in the current climate- and why we have reason to hope and be confident in the Gospel Message.
Matt and Dave talk through Revelation 3:1-22, thinking about the final 3 of the seven Churches.
Dave Lawther speaks on Revelation 2:12-28 in our Sunday morning Zoom service- looking at the Churches in Pergamum and Thyatira.
Looking at Revelation 2:1-11, thinking about losing our first love, and Dave being sad that he messed up the mic settings on first recording.
Sunday sermon carrying on our series in Revelation- looking at the Churches in Ephesus and Smyrna.
This week we're thinking about how we apply Pablo's message from Sunday morning in our lives amidst local lockdowns and uncertain times.
Pablo Martinez speaks to us from Psalm 91 looking at how the Christian hope gives us a great perspective in a time of fear.
This week we're looking at Revelation 1:9-20 in a bit more depth in the Revelation Rundown- thinking a lot about "Both And" and how Jesus as God, King, Judge and Priest is good news.
Our first podcast where we will discuss why we're doing this podcast, why we're looking at Revelation, why we're taking the approach we're taking and why you should be the ones to name this podcast.